THE LAKERS

A lively history of the Los Angeles Lakers, focusing on Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson's infection with the HIV virus. Basketball-expert Lazenby (The NBA Finals, 1990, etc.—not reviewed) opens by describing the NBA's ``Studhorse Sweepstakes'' and Johnson's reputation as a ladies' man, his dramatic announcement of having contracted the virus, and his October 1992 comeback attempt after a one-year layoff. Although Johnson had played in the 1991 All-Star Game and on the ``Dream Team'' at the Barcelona Olympics, the 1992 preseason games were his first real competitive test since his announcement—but his most difficult challenges proved to be the daily press conferences, the nasty rumors, and other players' complaints and concerns about possible infection. Johnson's abrupt second retirement was only a formal coda, Lazenby says, to the ``swan song for Showtime''—the glamour and excitement generated by the Lakers during the 1980's, when they captured five championships. With little regard for strict chronology, Lazenby traces the Lakers' history back to 1946, when the Detroit Gems, with an awful 4-40 record, were sold to a Minneapolis group for $15,000. With George Mikan, ``the first dominant giant,'' and Jim Pollard, the ``first jumping jack,'' the Lakers won six titles early on. Since 1960, when they moved to L.A., their storied players have included Jerry West, now the general manager; Wilt Chamberlain; Elgin Baylor; and Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, whose unforgettable farewell tour in 1988-89 is given some space here. The Lakers have missed the playoffs only four times in 46 years—winning 13 championships and making it to the finals another 13 times—and Lazenby's recaps of seasons and particular games, especially the dramatic 1987 finals against the Detroit Pistons, bring the excitement on to the page. Captures the glory days, as well as moments both sweet and bitter. (Photographs—eight pages color, eight pages b&w—not seen)